Newcastle United are yet to make a move for Lucas Paqueta of Lyon - despite a fresh round of weekend speculation linking him with the Magpies.
The Brazil international likes Newcastle and Eddie Howe is well aware of his capabilities, but with a price tag of £58million, the Toon boss must think carefully about how he utilises his summer budget. Sources close to Paqueta stated there had been no update as far as an approach was concerned.
Howe has spent the last week or so whittling down his shortlist, which includes Lille's Sven Botman, and his immediate priority is a centre-back and left-back. Although, with a clutch of players set to be moved on he knows that shaping his squad could be a fluid process this summer.
READ MORE: Dutch legend Jaap Stam thinks Newcastle United target Sven Botman 'will become one of the best'
After a disappointing experience at Wembley, Matty Longstaff will now return to Newcastle from Mansfield on loan. The 22-year-old netted six goals and made two assists during his spell in League Two.
Howe will now assess his next move for the midfielder but pre-season will be a chance for a clutch of returnees to impress the boss. Longstaff still has a year to run on his current deal at United.
Nottingham Forest's promotion to the Premier League, after beating Huddersfield in the Championship play-off final, could also see the return of links with Dwight Gayle. The Toon striker was on Forest's January shortlist and he faces an uncertain future at Newcastle after barely being used by Howe.
Skipper Jamaal Lascelles was also reportedly on Forest's summer shopping list but the former City Ground star has pledged his commitment to Newcastle. With Howe already tying down Fabian Schar, signing Dan Burn in January and looking for another centre-back, Lascelles will be vying for one of the four centre-half spots in United's squad for the 2021/22 season.
